White House reiterates US decision of not sending fighter jets to Ukraine

The United States has remained adamant in its policy decision of not sending its own fighter aircraft to Ukraine despite mounting pressure from Kiev.

The US reiterated its determination on Thursday not to send fighter jets to Ukraine, saying Poland’s decision to give warplanes to Kiev does not change Washington’s policy.

Poland's move to become the first country to send fighter jets to Ukraine does not alter the US decision against sending its own fighter aircraft to Kiev, the White House announced.

In January, US President Joe Biden clarified that the US would not give its F16 fighter jets to Ukraine despite efforts by the Kiev government to push Washington to provide warplanes to Ukraine's forces to fight Russia. 

Biden says 'no' F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine

The United States will not provide the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has sought in its fight against Russia, President Joe Biden said.

"It doesn't change our calculus with regards to F16s," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, referring to the US-built fighter jet. Poland's move "does not affect, does not change" that.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday that Washington had been informed of Poland's decision to provide Ukraine with fighter jets.

Jean-Pierre said to reporters that the delivery of warplanes to Ukrainian forces by a NATO member state is part of the ongoing US-led effort by the West to strengthen the Kiev forces fighting Russia.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday that Warsaw will send Ukraine four MiG-29 fighter jets in the coming days, making it the first of Kiev's allies to provide such aircraft.

One of Ukraine's staunchest supporters, Warsaw has taken a leading role in persuading sometimes hesitant allies to provide Kiev with heavy weaponry. It has said that any transfer of jets would be as part of a coalition.

On Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that deliveries could be made in four to six weeks.

Duda said that Poland had roughly 10-20 MiG 29 jets.

In the meantime, Washington has said that providing Ukraine with warplanes is not feasible due to the difficulties in training and maintenance.

The United States, in the past, had argued that providing Kiev Forces with battle tanks was not necessary.

However, after a short while it decided to take the Ukraine war to the next level by sending Kiev its much-sought Abrams tanks.

US tanks to take Ukraine war to next level despite Russia's warnings

US-made Abrams tanks are to take the Ukraine war to the next level despite Russia warning against more carnage.

The US-led decision to send battle tanks to Kiev forces was taken despite Russia's warnings against the move.

The West has repeatedly been warned by Moscow against the futile attempt to stop Russia from reaching its objectives in Ukraine's pro-Russian regions.

Moscow has repeatedly warned that the West's flooding of weapons into Ukraine only prolongs the war and adds to the loss of life, limb and property.

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